“We Look to You, Mr. President, for Big, Bold, Unapologetic Administrative Relief”
The most important comments from last night’s Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s (CHCI) annual gala did not come from President Obama, but rather Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) who called on the President to deliver executive action that protects millions.
As he noted:
As we stand here, 1,100 people are deported every day. What we need is immediate forbearance of deportations of people who could qualify for executive action, and have already been deemed ‘not priorities for removal’ by this Administration. That’s what the Latino community needs, as soon as possible — and we know we can count on you, Mr President.
Every single person standing behind me tonight, every person who has crossed this stage, every Member of the CHC, who has fought tooth and nail to make the dream of immigration reform a reality – is waiting for the day…But until then, we look to you, Mr. President, for big, bold, unapologetic administrative relief for millions waiting.
According to Lynn Tramonte, Deputy Director of America’s Voice:
Senator Menendez has been a champion and leader for immigrants in Congress, and we applaud him for calling on the President to take executive action that protects millions of people. Senator Menendez is a tenacious advocate, and we believe he will fight to the end to make the dream of broad, inclusive administrative relief a reality.
The full transcript of his remarks follows below and a video will soon be available on the CHC website. If you’re going to read one thing following last night’s gala, this is it:
Damas y caballeros, it’s a pleasure to be here tonight as it is every year, and – as always – it’s a pleasure to welcome the President.
CHCI, as always, is doing an incredible job empowering the next generation of Latino leaders, and we are all proud of the work they do.
This year we meet at a time when millions remain in the shadows, DREAMers remain in limbo, and the civil rights issue of our time remains unresolved.
We are up-against right-wing pressure, House leadership that won’t act, and an anti-immigrant Republican agenda…
…Now, if we are to fulfill our founder’s dreams of America as the land of the free… if we are to extend the promise of the American dream to ALL Americans – not just a select few… we need major reforms, we need them now, and – Mr. President — we need you to help.
Everyone in this room acknowledges the urgency of administrative relief. As we stand here, 1,100 people are deported every day.
What we need is immediate forbearance of deportations of people who could qualify for executive action, and have already been deemed “not priorities for removal” by this Administration.
That’s what the Latino community needs, as soon as possible — and we know we can count on you, Mr President.
Every single person standing behind me tonight, every person who has crossed this stage, every Member of the CHC, who has fought tooth and nail to make the dream of immigration reform a reality – is waiting for the day…
…But until then, we look to you, Mr. President, for big, bold, unapologetic administrative relief for millions waiting.
You have already courageously used the power of your pen once to provide temporary deportation relief when you implemented DACA that gave 600,000 young people more than just temporary legal presence and a work permit – it gave them an opportunity to be fully integrated into the only country they call home.
As Jose Diaz Balart, one of our honorees, has said: “Aqui estamos y no nos vamos.” We are not going away…
Our community is engaged, committed, and fiercely resilient… We don’t give up. We don’t give in…
…We fought for our seats at the table, and we will continue to fight until immigration reform is a reality.
That means we cannot – and we will not — sit out this election, or any election. We will get our people to the polls and cast our ballots.
We are all grateful, Mr. President, for your commitment to “go bold” when House Republicans couldn’t muster the political courage to act…
…and we thank you for having the courage to change the course of history…
…And now we look forward to working with you to address the civil rights issue of our time – and get it right.
